Worcester Business Journal

78 Worcester Business Journal | October 28, 2024 | wbjournal.com T he Worcester County Mechanics Association (WCMA) was founded in 1842 by the leaders of America's Industrial Revolution centered in the Blackstone River Valley from Worcester to Rhode Island. Aer several years of meeting in rented spaces, the Association voted to fund a building that would serve as a vital hub for education and culture; planned spaces included classrooms, a technical lending library, and gathering halls for lectures, performances, and civic activities. When construction completed in 1857, Mechanics Hall dominated Worcester's skyline. More Than a Building For nearly 170 years, Mechanics Hall has been integral to the social, cultural, civic, and educational aspirations of Worcester. Recognized as one of the finest pre-Civil War performance halls in the nation, with acoustics that rank it among the world's best concert halls, Mechanics Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. From the Great Hall stage, legendary speakers including Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony have galvanized social reform. Performers have enchanted audiences, from Yo-Yo Ma to Arlo Guthrie to every member of the Marsalis jazz dynasty. Five US presidents have taken the stage, as have literary giants including Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. Every Massachusetts governor elected since the building's opening has spoken here, too. As Relevant Today as Ever Mechanics Hall honors its past by ensuring that the building remains a vital community resource. A state-of-the-art speaker cluster was installed in September, ensuring that amplified voices and music resonate with the same clarity that generations have experienced with classical and acoustic performances. With a capacity exceeding 1200 seats for performances and a variety of more intimate spaces, Mechanics Hall is available for organizations and families to host memorable corporate events, professional meetings, weddings, and more. An Advocate for our Community Collaboration with arts organizations, community groups, schools, and outreach programming ensure that Mechanics Hall is accessible to the breadth of our community. Did You Know? • Mechanics Hall subsidizes rental fees for nonprofit organizations, granting community organizations over $275,000 annually • Mechanics Hall programming includes the Many Voices Youth Singers, a free chorus for children in grades 4 through 7 • Every year, thousands of patrons enjoy free community concerts at our iconic Brown Bag Lunch Series and Hook Organ performances • Club 321 is a monthly contemporary music series featuring jazz, blues, and American songbook performances We Invite You Our volunteers, our members, our donors, and our Trustees act as pillars supporting this legendary national treasure, and you can, too. If you haven't visited Mechanics Hall recently, check out the events calendar and come for experiences that will enrich your world. Celebrate with us! n Mechanics Hall PHOTO/ALLAN DINES Special Advertising Section

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